Blue Economy Accelerators: The NSML, NIMASA Initiatives-MAN As the Missing Link

by kelvin kagbare

Nigeria’s maritime development has just received two critical thrusts from the Private and Public sectors  of the industry and the synergy could be transformative if the bolts and nuts and properly tightened and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, incorporated into the Accelerators programme as conceived by the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd, NSML and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

As it is, the one country, one mission, one philosophy and one development blueprint/agenda seems to be at crossroads as NSML  and NIMASA are on board same flight but the Managing Director of NSML, Mr. Abdulkadir Ahmed and the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dayo Mobereola have different ideas on how to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy even as MAN wonders at the success rate of both program without its technical inputs/expertise.

We recall that in May 2024, NSML in conjunction with the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) kicked off the Marine Accelerator Program (MAP) at its Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) in Bonny Island.

According to Managing Director of NSML “MAP is conceived to bridge the skill gap in the oil and gas sector by training 120 marine workforce in batches with support from NCDMB, NIMASA and Maersk Training”

“Our vision goes beyond staffing vessels with Nigerians. It encompasses shipbuilding, technical supervision, vessel management, leadership development, and establishing institutions capable of delivering world-class maritime services” Abdulkadir Ahmed added.

Two years later, on September 17, 2026, NIMASA launched the Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP) and National Innovation Hackathon. Whereas NSML looked inward at workforce upskilling, NIMASA looks outward at innovation.

The NIMASA-BEAP targets young Nigerians aged 18 to 28 to develop solutions across smart ports, green shipping, sustainable fisheries, marine waste, ocean energy and autonomous vessels, with its portal opening October 5, 2026.

According to Dr.  Dayo Mobereola  “Nigeria’s maritime economy is a multi-billion naira frontier we have left largely untapped. We capture less than three percent of the value moving through our own waters”

“Nigeria’s maritime economy represents a N5tn frontier that remains significantly underexploited. I am not here simply to describe a challenge. I am here to invite you to help us correct a historic imbalance and unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria’s blue economy,” Mobereola stated.

Mobereola reiterated that Nigeria has 853 kilometres of coastline, six major commercial seaports, and a maritime sector supporting logistics associated with more than two million barrels of oil production per day.

“Yet we capture less than three per cent of the value generated across the maritime value chain moving through our waters. That is an imbalance we must change.”

“Our vision is therefore clear; to sustainably develop Nigeria’s blue-economy potential through innovation, enterprise and investment. This is the purpose of the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme being implemented with our Technical Partner, Opolo Global Innovation Ltd,” the NIMASA DG declared.

Speaking at the NIMASA-BEAP launch, The minister of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented at the event by the Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology at the Ministry, Hussainu Shettima, said, “I want to commend the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and NIMASA’s Executive Management Team, for the vision and institutional boldness this programme represents.

“This is not a routine government initiative; this is a paradigm shift from NIMASA as a regulator to NIMASA as a catalyst. The NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator sets a standard that I am proud, as Minister, to champion before this audience”

NIMASA has said within  its 12-week accelerator  program and National Hackathon, the agency will identify, develop and connect innovators across thirteen maritime tracks with mentors, investors, industry leaders and opportunities within the maritime ecosystem.

The call for innovators opening on October 5 and closing on November 13, 2026. Independent experts would then evaluate applications and conduct due diligence between November 16 and December 2, ahead of the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for December 8, 2026, which will bring together innovators from all six geopolitical zones across thirteen maritime tracks.

 

In this Blue Economy Acceleration plans by NSML and NIMASA why has the Maritime Academy of Nigeria  as the foremost national Maritime and Education Training Institution seemingly has no role to play? Could the Academy be involved in the initiatives in ways unknown to the public?

It is our view that Blue Economy Acceleration plans by NSML and NIMASA could be revved and further accelerated with traction and momentum if the Academy is fully involved as a technical partner and incubator in the overall national development of the sector and Nigeria.